Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good submariner’s D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Acting Chief Petty Officer H. C. Williams, Coxswain of H.M.S/M. Sceptre during war patrols which resulted in the sinking of five enemy vessels and in which two special operations with X-craft were carried out

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A/C.P.O. D/JX.137839); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine (7) £1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 5 September 1944: ‘For undaunted courage, skill and devotion to duty in successful patrols in H.M. Submarines.’

The following recommendation is taken from Admiralty records: ‘In the course of patrols in northern waters, H.M.S. Sceptre sank four supply ships of a total of over 15,000 tons, damaged three others, and took part in two special operations. Hugh Clyde Williams, of Bangor, North Wales, Acting Chief Petty Officer (S/Ms.). For great zeal and devotion to duty during six patrols in H.M. Submarine Sceptre, which have resulted in the destruction of five enemy supply vessels, the damaging of another, and in which a successful operation with X-craft has been carried out. C.P.O. Williams has been Coxswain throughout this time and has contributed materially to the efficiency of the submarine, and by his cheerfulness and imperturbability has set a fine example to the whole crew. In action he has controlled the after hydroplanes and in spite of generally very adverse weather conditions, has always kept perfect depth so that the attacks were carried out unhampered.’

The special operations refer to the two attacks made by the Midget Submarine X-24 in Operations ‘Guidance’ and ‘Heckle’, against the floating dock at Bergen. In both cases X-24 was towed to the target area, and later safely recovered from it, by Sceptre, earning her the nickname “Bring-’em-back-alive Sceptre”. In the first operation, on 14 April 1944, X-24 sank the German S.S. Barenfels, having mistaken it for the floating dock, the ship being alongside the dock and of almost identical proportions. In the second operation, on 11 September 1944, both the floating dock and one small merchant ship were sunk, these successful attacks coming at a time when the whole operational future of X-craft lay in the balance. Sold with further research including patrol reports.